TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan provided additional financial aid to the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul after severe floods that began in April displaced hundreds of thousands of people.

Under the direction of the foreign ministry, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brazil gifted the state NT$6.06 million (1 million Brazilian Reals) at a donation ceremony on Wednesday (June 5), per CNA. 

Taiwan Representative Liao Chih-hsien (廖志賢) was joined by lawmakers in the Chamber of Deputies’ Brazil-Taiwan Friendship Group and the Brazilian Air Force disaster relief team. Part of the donation will be used to purchase basic food baskets to sustain living needs, which will be delivered directly to the disaster victims by the Brazilian Air Force. 

The rest will be used to purchase cold weather supplies such as coats, blankets, and heaters, to help with the increasingly cold and damp climate in the disaster areas.

In an interview with Brazilian media, Liao expressed sadness over the disaster and said Taiwan hopes to deepen its friendship with Brazil through concrete actions. With the help of the Brazilian government, the affected residents will be able to rebuild their homes soon, he added.

Last month, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Sao Paulo donated NT$1.62 million to Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul state for disaster relief. The Taiwanese government and people are willing to assist disaster victims within their capabilities, embodying the spirit of "Taiwan Can Help," TECO Director Luís K. J. Fong (馮光中) said.